Category Archives: Japan

Ghosn rearrested for alleged aggravated breach of trust – Nikkei Asian Review

This farce is descending rapidly, even by the low standards of Japan’s legal system. The court just ruled his detention could not be extended. Apparently the prosecutors found a way around it. Hopefully, this is a sign they are very desperate to get Ghosn to incriminate himself, because their case is otherwise too weak to […]

Midway and Counterfactual Fallacies

Real historians don’t embark in counterfactual speculations. Political pundits, armchair historians, and fiction writers frequently speculate on what would have happened if some historical event had turned out differently, but skeptics should be leery of the analysis. In the specific instance of George Friedman’s speculations on the Battle of Midway, he makes several inferences that […]

Sugar Intake Guidelines

The World Health Organization publishes health guidelines specific to sugar intake. Their observations and recommendations include: A  strong recommendation for limiting free sugar intake (including monosaccharides and disaccharides, and including those naturally present and those added by manufacturers) to 10% of total caloric intake. A weak recommendation for limiting free sugar intake to 5% of […]

11-Year-Old Boy Played in His Yard. CPS Took Him, Felony Charge for Parents. – Hit & Run : Reason.com

Another state to cross off my list. Let’s be clear about some facts. My eleven year old daughter does all these things by herself: Walks to school (daily with group, but sometimes alone) Walks to the park to meet friends Shops at the local stores Takes the train to the mall (mostly with friends the […]

How a private-sector transformation could revive Japan | McKinsey & Company

With its working-age population shrinking, Japan will need to focus on productivity as never before. A major private-sector initiative to accelerate productivity growth could create a “fourth arrow” of economic reform. A McKinsey Global Institute article. Source: How a private-sector transformation could revive Japan | McKinsey & Company

South Dakota Residency for Citizens Living Abroad

For US citizens living abroad, participating in domestic business and society can be challenging. One of the most challenging aspects can be obtaining a driver’s license in a state where you no longer reside. All states require demonstration of residency, and nearly all states mail your new or renewed driver’s license to your address on […]

Nikkei: Drying up, flaming out

Japan’s population is just over 127 million at present, about 1.04 million less than its historical peak in 2008. But this decline masks drastic shifts in the country’s demography. The number of people between the ages of 15 and 64 has declined by nearly 4 million, while the 65 and older cohort has shot up […]

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